e was Victoria's.

"Clo!" she called again, in considerable wrath, "jis' you answer now."

Clo sprang up in high indignation. Dolf mounted a couple of steps and
appeared to be diligently searching for something in a closet.

Victoria opened the kitchen door, looked out and tossed her head angrily
when she saw the pair.

"I s'pose I might a split my throat callin', and yer wouldn't a
answered," she cried.

"I'se 'bout my business," said Clo, grimly, "jis' mind yours."

"I s'pose Mr. Dolf am 'bout his business too," retorted Vic.

Dolf turned around from the closet and asked sweetly, "Did you 'dress
me, Miss Vic?"

"No, I didn't, and don't mean ter. But Miss Elsie's woke up, and wants
some jelly and a bird; where am dey, Clo?"

"Look whar dey be and ye'll find 'em," replied Clo.

"Ef they hain't gone down dat ol' preacher's throat it's lucky," cried
Vic, slamming the door after her, thus defeating poor Dolf in the very
moment of success.

CHAPTER LXXI.

FUTILE PLEADINGS.

Elsie was better that morning. When the physician arrived he pronounced
her much improved, and confessed to Mellen that he had at first feared
an attack upon the brain, but he believed now it was only the result of
a severe nervous paroxysm. This time he made no inquiries of Mellen
concerning his wife; the manner in which they had been received on the
previous day did not invite a renewal of the subject.

Elsie was eager to get up, after her usual habit, the moment she began
to feel better; but the doctor ordered her to lie in bed, at least for
that day.

"But I want to get up so badly," said she, when her brother returned to
the chamber; "I am so tired of lying here."

"Just have patience for to-day; the doctor would not allow the least
exertion."

"He's a cross old thing!" pouted Elsie, with a faint return to her old
manner, which made Mellen both sigh and smile.

"You will soon be able to put him at defiance. But, indeed, you are so
weak now you could not attempt too much."

"Oh, that's nonsense! I don't believe anything about it. You shall stay
here with me; if I have to be kept prisoner I will hold you fast, too."

"There is no fear of my attempting to leave the room," he replied.

Elsie felt much improved. She sat up in bed, made her brother play at
various games of cards with her, talked and looked herself again.

But into the conversation, in which Mellen did his best to hold a share,
there crept some chance me